Brick handling apparatus



May 27, 1958 J, F. oURY 2,836,317'

BRICK HANDLING APPARATUS 'Y Filed sept. 1o. 195e 5 sheets-sheet 1 May 27,1958- J. F. @URY 2,836,317

BRICK HANDLING APPARATUS May 27, 1958 .L F. oURY 2,836,317

BRICK HANDLING APPARATUS Filed sept. 10,-1956 5 sheets-sheet 3 J. F. OURY BRICK HANDLING APPARATUS lMay 27, 195s 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed sept. 1o, 195e May 27, 1958 v J., F, QURY 2,836,317

BRICK HANDLING APPARATUS Tlf-1 United States Patent BRICK HANDLING APPARATUS John Foster Oury, Northlake, Ill.

Application September 10, 1956, Serial No. 698,762

6 Claims. (Cl. 214-653) My invention relates to brick handling apparatus and has particular reference to a mechanism which may be used in the handling of bricks, mortar, lumber, and the like, in building construction, both for unloading from a platform truck or for the purpose of handling building material and hoisting it to a position where it can be deposited upon a scaiord where workmen, such as bricklayers, carpenters, and the like, can have the material close at hand for use in embodying it in the structure under construction.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a power operated vehicle upon which a brick handling and hoisting mechanism can be mounted and which may be used in picking up bricks which have been stacked .L

in the form of a cube or the like, and moving such stacked up bricks from one point to another for convienience in building, storage, and the like, which can also be used for lifting such a cube of bricks and depositing it upon a scafford adjacent the bricklayers without the necessity of carrying the bricks up ladders and the like.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a brick or block handling apparatus which embodies an open sided squeeze frame which can be placed in position to exert pressure upon the lowermost layer of a cube of bricks, blocks, or the like to provide a pallet which supports the bricks above the lowermost layer forming the pallet, and in which a cube of bricks can be transported from the ground, storage place, or the like, onto a scaffold where they are within easy reach and access of the workmen. Y

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a brick handling apparatus which when curved over a cube of bricks or blocks automatically positions itself over a cube of bricks in such manner that the thrust of the squeeze frame is properly alined With respect to the brick cube and that the gripping ngers engage the bottom row of bricks of the cube of bricks in a plane below the center of such row of bricks so that a secure pallet is formed to sustain the weight of the cube of bricks, without any attention, particularly upon the part of the operator.

' Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a brick handling apparatus in which the squeeze frame is properly positioned over a cube of bricks regardless of the uneven condition of the ground upon which the bricks may lie or the canted position of the vehicle because of uneven ground upon which it rests so that the application of force through the squeeze frame to the cube of bricks is in the proper alignment to provide a stable cube without danger of the bricks Y falling, or dropping out of a cube onto workmen resulting in injury or the like to such workmen.

A further object of my invention is the provision of lifting and handling mechanisms to a well known type of'vehicle for the purpose of handling bricks, blocks, mortar, and the like, on the job to eliminate the manual handling of such material which has been the practice generally followed in residences, store buildings, and the like, where such buildings are usually three stories in height but may cover a' substantial area of ground.-

ICC

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings land in which- Figure l is a side elevational View of my improved brick handling apparatus;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the squeeze frame and mounting connections therefor on the squeeze frame carriage;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view of the brick gripping mechanism;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View on lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a detailed side view partially in elevation and partially in section of the squeeze frame and squeeze frame carriage and mounting therefor on the elevator mast taken on lines 6--6 of Fig. 7;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Figure S is a detailed view showing a part of the squeeze frame and squeeze frame carriage on lines 8--8 of Fig. 5; and

Figure 9 is a View showing the hydraulic operating mechanism for the brick handling mechanism of the device.

Referring now specifically to the drawings and in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, a main frame 10 for the vehicle is shown having forwardly extending frame portions 11, 11 to which a transverse cross frame member 12 is secured which in turn has forwardly extending side members 13 and 14 secured thereto which have axles 15 and 16 mounted therein upon which traction wheels 17 and 13 are mounted with sprocket wheels 19 and 20 being secured thereto and over which sprocket chains 21 and 22 are connected for the purpose of driving the Wheels 17 and 18 as hereinafter described.

A caster wheel 23 is placed at the rear end of the frame 10 which is mounted in a swivel caster frame 24 secured in a bearing 25 suitably mounted to the frame 10.

An internal combustion engine 26 is mounted on the frame 10 with gear housing 27 at the forward end thereof having trunnions 28 and 29 at each side of the housing 27 from which power shafts connected with the engine 26 extend, which power shafts are connected with the usual transmission gears in the gear housing 27, and which have sprocket wheels 30, 30 loosely mounted thereon but connected to the said power shafts by means of clutches 31, 31 each of which clutches 31, 31 may be disengaged by rods such as 32, 32 secured to operating cranks 33, to disengage the clutches 31, 31, as hereinafter described.

Jack shafts 34 and 35 are provided which are mounted on the cross frame member 12 in bearings 36, 36 which are secured to pillow blocks 37, 37 on the cross member 12. The jack shafts 34 and 35 extend parallel with the cross frame member 12 and have sprocket wheels 33, 38 mounted on the inner ends thereof over which sprocket chains 39, 39 operate which are connected with the sprocket wheels 3i), 30 on the power shafts leading from the transmission mechanism. Each of the shafts 34 and 35 have sprocket wheels 40, 40 on the outer ends thereof which sprocket wheels 4i) and 4i) are connected by the sprocket chains 21 and 22 with the sprocket wheels 19 and 20 secured to the traction wheels 17 and 18 by means of which power is transmitted from the internal combustion engine 27, by means of which the vehicle supporting the balance of the operating mechanism can be transported from place to place.

Steering bars 41 at each side of the engine 27 are provided (only one of which is shown in the drawings) whichhave handle portions at their rear. ends andY have braces 42, 42 secured to the steering bars 41, 41 and to. the rear end of the frame 10, the said bars 41,41 being spaced apart sothe operator. may walkibetweenwthem and graspfthe handle'portion'of each rod with each-hand and steer the vehicle or 'control its direction' by exerting av sidewise pressure upon the bars".41,'41.YV The rods 32, 32 lead to the clutches 31, 31 and are securedtonger levers 43 mounted'upon each side of the handle portions of each of the bars 41 and provides means .by which theV operator may also steer the Vehicle by releasing a selected clutch 31 on-V each end of the said power shafts, mayV stop the delivery of power Ito either one of the sprocketV wheels V19 or 20 and by so doing, may turn the vehicle upon either of the wheels 17 or 18- acting-as ay pivot Y Yassenti' Cil for the brick squeeze frame 48' and' carriage therefor as they are raised and lowered as hereinafter described.

point, and aboutwhi'ch the-vehicle will then move'in a A horizontal plane, and the operator may also by controllingV the. operation of theV clutches assist in steering the vehicle to any desiredi locationl which the operatorV may select. Y

A control lever 44 is provided connected by a rod 45A toV standard reverse gears for-ming apart of the transmission mechanism, which enables the operator to operate the vehicle in either a forward or backwarddirecp tion, and a throttle leverY 46is provided: connectedjwith ,the engine so the operato-r may control the: speed of the engine, Vand the necessary powerV to move the vehicle-deof the terrain over which the vehicle moves.

A ycompositemast designated asv a wholeV as' is" Y mounted uponvk the vehicle which mast supports Aasqueeze frame, designated as a whole 48, as having ai squeeze Y mechanism mounted thereon, and a squeeze frame car# riage slidably mounted onthe mast, for handlingV and transporting of brick, mortar, or the like, by the' vehicle Y hereinabove described.

Y pending upontheload of .the vehicle and the condition Y cured thereto Valso made of channelV sections which: are Y weldedto the cross bar 54 and to the backs: of the i channel sections 49 and Sil and which hold the upper ends ofl the members '49 and. 50 securely togetherV inl proper spa-ced relation each other, with a similar cross tie bar 56' being provided intermediate of the ends Y of the-members 49 and 59, with side bars 57, .57;b'e'ing provided which are welded to the members 49Aand 50' and to the cross bar 56. A pair ofY brackets 58 and 59 are secured to' the crossbar 56 at' each' of its ends, and

have the ends of hydraulic pistons 6b and 61 secured members 65 Yand 66 having open. sided channel faces facing eachother, these members 65 and 66 having slide 7 blocks 67,' 67 welded to the back'facesithereof which are `fitted into the channels in the sections/9 'andi Stlresp'ectively at spacedV intervals,V with an upperV cross member 68 being providedA andv which is securedl at" each of. its cnds to the upper ends of. the channel members 65 and 66. Slideblocks 69, 69 arefweldect toi thcredg'es-r of the anges ofthe channelsections 49 and. Sillat their; upper.4

Y Irial 91', 91 also assist in gripping The squeeze trame 46 consists of a tube 70 and a` second tube 71 extending parallel with: the tube 70 and spaced in vertical relation with the saidtube 70a=nd are mounted upon brackets and 73` wifh collars 74;` 74 being provided` which ,arel welded' to the brackets 72-and 73 at their lower ends and 'surround the tube 70. The tube 71 extends through openingsw75,i75 inthebrackets 72 and 73, has snap Yrings 76 thereonY adjacelit the bracket 73, to prevent slippage of thetbe 71lwitlirrfthe. bracket 73, `while Vother snapy rings 77, 77a r`e provided which surround the larger tube 7 il topr'eve'ntthe slippage.

of the tube 70 within the bracket 73'; StubV tubes-arid 79 are mounted in fthe tube 70'with`a1pluralityof.spaced collars 80; titlY fixedv thereon 'which` act as bearings for.y

the stub tubes 78 and 79 internally of the tube Y7l); and

also hold the stub ktubes 7S'a'n'd 79 firmly in positionwith respect to the large tube 70 within which theyare porsi'- I tioned. The tube 71 also has stub tubes'81'and'82 there;

in which have' spaced'V collars 83, 8'3l thereon which-act asf bearingseforrthe'said stub tubes'S'l and 82 within the," Y

tube 71. Plates 84 and 85 are provided` which are Vsomewhat triangular in shape and are mountedon the outer ends' of' the stub 'tubes' 78 and 81 and 79 and 82 respec'-,l

tivelyand have brackets 86 and V87 welded thereto,.with

a brick engaging n'ger 88 secured to the bracket'sgby meansofbolts' 89, 89", and a cooperating Vfinger se'- cured to the bracket 87in any approved means as byA welding. rlhe :lingers 88 and 9i) extend outward fromfthe plates 84 and 85 and khavestzn'ps ofelastiemateriall..

91 secured to the inner faces thereof which arebroug'hn into contact preferably with therend's of the lowermo'sfg course of brick constituting acube andV through which pressure is exerted onto the lowermost course of bricks.) of the cube to form the pallet which'supports the upper` rows of brick forming thev balance of the cube.

bracket 86 has a curved slot 92' therein with a shim9'3`j beingv provided which is fitted between the youter `edge of the nger 88 and the flangel on theV bracket 86 topro-A vide Va slight to'eing in o'f the'tnger l88` so that `Vpressure is applied to the lowermost layersof brickgfitV` is iirst applied at' ythe tips ofy the fingers 88 and 90 and -asf pressure Vis` continued to be appliedl to' these fingers beg. causev of convection' ofthe parts of the squeezetrarne',l equalV pressure is maintained at each ofv the ends of the lowermost layer of bricks forming the cube so" Ithat substantially equal. pressureV is exerted upon .this l'owermost layermaking sure that a firm` pallet isy formed ofthe lower layer of bricks and that' individual bricks will not drop out causing damage to the' equipment or injury toy someworkmen on'v the job. VThe elastic strips ofd'matebrick which are usually somewhatrough andv'irregular and make lcertain that the pallet is individual bricks will not' drop out ofy the groupcausing damage to the machinery and to the workmen connected" Y with itsoperation.

A pair of spacedbrackets 94 and 95 are .welded to the Vplate S4 and have afhydraulicram; cylinder 96 con- 951by' nec'ted at one of its ends toftheV brackets 94 and a pin 97 and issupported by the bracket 72 intermediate" its ends and has ringmember 98 clamped thereovcr with secured to' the brackets 72? and 73 to prevent' side'wsfemovementof' the ra'm196. Hydraulic hose' cennect'i 's 1015V and 102 are provided by means" to which hydraulic' fluid hose 103 and 104 are'conne'cted tothe ram cylinder;

96 and through 'which' theliydraulic 'r'a'm`is operatedfas hereinafterdescribed.' f i ends to. actaslimit stops for theupward movement of 'n the channel sections 65 and 66 forming the upper sec- Vtion of the composite mast which is adaptedv to be ralsed 4 the outer surfaces ot; Y

rrnly formed'and that n A piston 105 is mounted in the hydraulic ram cylinder 96 and is connected to a tube 106 by means of a pin 1137 with the tube 106 being connected to a pair of brackets 198 and 109 by means of a pin 110 so that the stub tubes 7S and 79 and 81 and 82 are moved in and out of the guide tubes 70 and 71 thereby moving the iingers 38 and 95 into and out of gripping position with the cube of bricks or blocks as the case may be.

A carriage for the squeeze frame is provided which comprises a pair of short channel sections 111 and 112 having slide blocks 113 welded to the back of the webs of the channel sections 111 and 112 and which are fitted into the channel rnembers'S and 66 which with the cross member et; comprise the upper section of the mast construction with an angle 114 being welded to the edges of the members 111 and 112 and spanning the space therebetween which angle has pairs of spaced extensions 115 and 116 and 117 and 118 thereon between which the ends of the brackets '72 and 73 are positioned, each of the brackets 72 and 73 having slotted openings 119 therein through which bolts 12%) pass and which afford a loose connection between the squeeze frame and the squeeze frame carriage so that when the squeeze frame carriage is dropped over a cube of bricks the carriage may cant slightly in order to properly position the squeeze frame about the cube of bricks as will be more fully described hereinafter.

A cross angle 121 is secured to the brackets 72 and 73 which has connecting angles 122, 122 at the forward face thereof to which a backboard 123 is connected at its upper edge, and which is secured near its lower edge to one of the cross braces 100 which connects the brackets 72 and 73. The backboard 123 spans the space between the fingers 38 and 95, and prevents bricks from dropping rearwardly of the squeeze frame onto some of the operating parts which bricks may come from the courses above the lower-most courses of bricks forming a pallet during the movement of the carriage or if the mast shouid become backward over the machine to such a degree that the bricks would have a tendency to slide oit the cube. Mounted upon the backboard 123 and is secured to the backboard 123, vertical angles 12451, 124e welded to the angle 124 through which bolts 125, 125 pass through slotted openings in the angles 12411, 124e and have wing nuts 126, 126 thereon which provides for the vertical adjustment of the angle 124. The angle 124 serves as a gage when the squeeze frame is placed over a cube of bricks to properly position the fingers 88 and 99 with respect to the lowermost courses of brick so that the lower edges of the ngers 88 and 90 are substantially even with the underside of the lowermost course of brick thereby making sure that the fingers are always in proper position to grip the brick at their lowermost portions. The gage 124 can be adjusted up and down to conform to the height of a cube of bricks determined by the number of courses of brick usually four, preferably placed in edgewise relation with each other and providing for variation in height of the bricks or blocks which are being handled and which may vary slightly in width or dimension. Arms 127, 127 are provided having an angle 128 on their outer ends which angle 128 may be dropped over the forward edge of the uppermost course of bricks so its depending ange 129 prevents these bricks from becoming displaced due to vibration or a rocking movement of the mast if the vehicle passes over rough ground while the cube of bricks or blocks is being transported. Sideboards (not shown) may be provided which can be mounted on the fingers 8S and 95B to prevent loose bricks, making up the upper courses, from sliding loose it desired, although in normal operation of the device, I have not found such sideboards to be necessary.

A U-bracket 13) is mounted to the upper tie bar 68 and has an axle 131 mounted therein on which a pair of grooved pulleys 132 and 133 are mounted over which Athe hose 1193 and d pass so that the ram 96 may be operated when the squeeze frame is in elevated position shown in Figures l and 2. A sprocket wheel 134 is also mounted on the axle 11 and over which a chain 135 passes, which chain is anchored at one of its ends to the agle 114 forming a part of the squeeze frame carriage and at its opposite end is anchored to a tail bracket 136 having legs 137, 138 which are welded to the cross frame member 12.

The squeeze frame and carriage therefore is raised and lowered by a hydraulic ram comprising a tube 139 which is connected to the bracket 136 secured to the cross 4frame member 12, with a connecting member 142 for the tube having a pin 143 extending therethrough.

A piston 144 is mounted in the tube 139 and is connected at its upper end to a cross member 145 forming a part of the bracket 130 so that an upward thrust of the piston pushes the top section of the mast upward and as this mast section travels upward, the squeeze frame carriage and squeeze frame, is raised at the same time. One end of the chain 135 is anchored to the frame of the vehicle while the other end is secured to the angle 114 forming a part of the squeeze frame carriage and as the top section of the mast is raised the squeeze frame and carriage are raised by the chain in a power ratio of two to one, and also at a rate of speed travel of two to one, that is the squeeze frame carriage and squeeze frame travels upward twice as fast as does the top section of the mast.

Hose pulleys 146 and 147 are mounted on brackets 14S, 148 which are secured to the cross frame member 12 with the hose 103 and 164 running around the pulleys 146 and 147 respectively through which the hydraulic fluid is forced into and exhausted from the hydraulic ram 96, controlling the operation of the squeeze frame. The hydraulic tube 139 has a connecting member at its lower end to which a hose 150 is connected through which hydraulic uid is conveyed to and away from the tube 139 forming a part of the hydraulic ram.

"For the operation of the various p-arts of the device hydraulically, a pump 151 is provided which -is operated by a belt 152 passing over a wheel 153 mounted upon a power shaft extending outward from the engine 26. Y

A master hydraulic valve 154 is provided having a pressure line 155 leading therefrom to the pump 151 with the lines 103 and 104 both leading to the master vaive 154 which are controlled by a three way valve forming a part of the master valve, 154, by a handle 157 which controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and exhaust from the squeeze frame ram 96 so that the operator, while moving the control handle 157, can admit fluid under pressure through the hose 103 into the squeeze ram 96 which draws the fingers 88 and 90 together to exert pressure upon the lower layer of bricks forming a cube which pressure is allowed to remain constant during the handling of the squeeze frame and cube. A pressure gage 158 is provided which registers the pressurev through the pressure line 103 so that the operator is advised as to the amount lof pressure being exerted upon the squeeze frame and very quickly learns to know what pressure -to apply to the squeeze frame in order to provide a solid pallet for supporting the balance of the cube of bricks. The tilt rams cylinders 62 and 63 have one of their ends connected to a hose 158 which has a connecting hose line 159 leading to the master valve 154 and to a three way valve which `is controlled by a handle 160 with a second hose line 161 being provided which hose line connects the opposite ends of the ram cylinders 62 `and 63 together and in turn has a line 162 leading to the master control valve 154, this particular portion of the valve being a three way valve by means of which pressure can be admitted into the power ram cylinders 62 and 63 to move the mast in a backward and forward direction on its pivotal mounting, partially for balance purposes, and also to move the squeeze frame far enough over Va scaffold to deposit .a cube of bricks thereon after Y 7 4 t the deberias been, elevated te a sud'eie'nt height te :dear the scalolding and the vehicle moved in close enough sbjtha't `when' the squeeze frame is lowered, the cube of brick will rest upon the scaffolding. l

jAn outlet' pipe 1'64 is provided which leads from the Y mster' valve 154th an dil reservoir 165V with .fr/supply line' V166 leading from the reservoir 165 to the pump 151. The hose 150 leads tothe master valt/e154 and to aT two way vvalve"controlled .by a handle 153 so th-at'pressure admitted' through the valve passes to the tube 159k formingv apart ofthe elevating ram. and the upper lsecj VtionY o'f the r'an'i is moved upward carrying with it the squeeze frame tothe desired height necessary to a par` ticuflar operation which height'I have found to be something like fourtee'rfeet, forv normal operations' which perthe squeeze frame' to be lifted to a' height approximately twelve feet, which is adequate for the deposit of Vlbricks, mortarg-.and the'like, upon a sc'atfold ordinarily u'sed in one and two story buildings.l YWhen the operator Y desires' t'o' lower the squeeze' frame, he operates the two way valve through the handle 163,'thereby allowing ythe hydraulic fluid to pass through'the pipe 15@ into the return pipe 164 Lto the reservoir 165. The weight of the `VsqueezeV frame upon the piston 144 forces the fluid from these pipes and the operatorby controlling the degreeV of openirigjofV the two way Valve controls the rate of decent' of the squeeze frame whether the squeeze frame Y Yis loaded with a cube of bricks or whether it is empty and lowered forV the purpose of picking up a cube of bricks.

" In the operation of the device,V the operator takes hisV position between rthe projecting steering rods d at the j rear of the machine and4 starts the motorV 26 and through the operation of the clutch mechanism connects theV transmission mechanism with the traction wheels 17Y and i8 and" moves the vehicle't'o a. point where the tractionV wheelsy 17 and 18 are positioned 'on eachside of and spaced from a pre-formed stacked cube of bricks or blocksWh-ichthavepreviously been placed in position Vpreferably with bricks comprising the Vlowermost course 1 wise position in abutting Vend-to-end relation with each Vother and the' additional courses above the pallet course arranged'in somewhat the same manner, preferably three inrnumbe'r.V Il have found that a cube of brick which comprise about four inY endlto-end relation with Ye'ach other and ten'in side-to-side relation'rnaking atlayercomprisirrg forty lbricks and four courses in height'rnakes a desirable sized' cube,'such a cube comprises one hundred sixty bricksV aindjweighs approximately 1,000 pound'sfand is a desirable size to handleand can be both transported and liftedV very easily and deposited upon a scaffold or any other platform .asnrayb'e desired. Y

I-f the bricks are of'smoothttexturefparticularly with respect to the bricks formingthe lowermostor pallet course,y strips of corrugated'paper may be placed between t the adjacent ends ofthe brick providing arcus'hion and a means of forming the pallet more', rrnly when pres-V sure is ,appliedthereto through the lingers 88 and 9i) so that thepallet islirmly formed and theibricks are not apt to dropout of it. VIf thesurfaee texture of the bricks is extremely smooth or if the surface is unusually rough, it is necessaryto bring the major portion of the contacting surfaces into intimate relation with each other or to supply Asome medium between ,the surfaces of the bricksv to prevent" slippage so lthat sucient friction is formed to hold thejptallet as a unit and also to support the other layers of bricks'suplerimposed thereon.Y f

`As' the device is moved over a pallet of'brick, the operator, by nrovin'gV the mast forward or backward, Vpositions the gripping fingers on each side of the pre-formed cube with the backboard 123 being on a line so as tojbc fairly close to theV sideY of the brick cube adjacent the' ',nia'chine, in which position the squeeze frame and gripi ping'iingers' are lowered over the cube until the angle 124 engages the topof the uppermost layer-of bricks form- Y -ing the cube adjacent the backboard 123V which gage Y has prei'lio'uslyY been adjusted to a proper distance to position the fingers 88 and 90 against the lower portions of the bricks forming the lower or pallet layer and in 1 this position, the weight of the squeeze frame is Vsupport;- ed by the angle 124l which y'automatically places the iin- '.'ge'rs SS and 90 in plane parallel withV the Vlower portions ofVK the bricks making upithe pallet co-urse thereby 'ac curately position-ing the fingers 88 and 90 relative to the lowermost course of brick regardless of whether the cube Y squeeze frame accurately adjusts itself to the cube of bricks. the cube of bricks, the operator, through the rnanipula-Y tion of the valve handle 157, appliespressure through kthe hydraulic'ram Vto the squeeze frame exerting pressure upon the lowerinost course of brick to form a rm pallet. The operator, from experience, learns what presj sure is necessary to secure this result and watches theV pressure being 'applied through the gage 158l until adequate pressure is appliedt'o Vthe lowerrnostll course of brick to form a pallet. Y Y

After the squeeze frame has been adjusted to the cubeV of bricks, the operator by admitting pressure Lto the ram tube 139 raisesV the upper section of the mast telescopically with respect to the lower section until the cube of bricksis free of the ground, and the vehicle can then be moved to any desired position and steered bythe oper-` ator exerting pressure upon the guide handles to guide the vehicle, or through the control of the power clutches leading to the traction wheels he may guide it, to the desired point and'when such point is reached, for example, adjacent the scaffold of a building, additional pres-V sure is admitted to the lifting ram which li ts the squeeze frame including a cube, of brick to a line above the scaiold'upon'whi'ch the Workmen are employed in the Y laying of the brick, and the vehicle moved adjacent the scaffold untilthe squeeze frame' and cube of brick are overthe scaffold in which position the mast may be tilted forwardlyifnecessary to properly position the cube of brick over the scaffold in which position the squeezeV frame andy cube of brick are lowered until the brick rests upon the scaffold, and the operator thereupon releases the pressure of the hydraulic ram holding the brick together, the fingers freed of the cube of brick and the squeeze frame and fingers can be either lifted over the cube of brick or the entirer'machine can be backed away from the cube leaving it deposited upon the scaifold. As the squeeze frame is positioned around a cube of brick, the angle 12S is dropped down so that it engages the forward edge ofthe upper layer of bricks to prevent these bricks from slipping out of the course,

I have found that a mast construction having a lowermost section approximately eight feet in length and the uppermost sectionbeingjof the same length, provides aV mast of suihcient height so that a lift of fourteen feet can be obtained with the squeeze Vframebeing lifted at least twelve feet which is suiiicient height to deposit brick and lthe like onto the average scaffolding which is cornmorily used in Ythe construction of one and two story brick buildings, stores', residences, and the iike.

`Itwill also Vbe understood that the device may be usedA for lifting mortar to a position for useby workmen upon Afterrthe squeeze frame has been adjusted to.

a scaffold by the addition of a container or bucket to the squeeze frame and likewise bundles of lumber, shingles, and other building mterials can also be layed across the squeeze lingers and elevated and delivered to workmen on a scaold or at some position above the ground.

While i have described more or less precisely the details of my construction, i do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as l contemplate changes in form, the proportion of parts, and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Brick handling and transporting apparatus comprising in combination a power driven vehicle, a vertically extending mast pivotally mounted on the said vehicle, a squeeze frame carriage movably mounted on the said mast, hydraulic means whereby the said squeeze frame carriage is raised and lowered on the said mast, a squeeze frame loosely connected to the said squeeze frame carriage, gripping lingers mounted on the squeeze frame, hydraulic means whereby the said gripping lingers are actuated to engage a cube of brick and be disengaged therefrom and a guide on the said squeeze frame adapted to engage the topmost layer of bricks forming a cube whereby the position of the squeeze frame relative to the cube of bricks is controlled and the gripping ngers are positioned in the same plane as is the lowermost course of bricks forming a cube.

2. Brick handling and transporting means comprising a power driven vehicle, a two part mast on said vehicle having a lower section pivotally mounted on the vehicle, and an upper section telescopically connected to said lower section, a hydraulic ram mounted on the vehicle at one of its ends and connected to the upper mast section at its other end whereby the said upper section may be raised and lowered, a squeeze frame carriage mounted on the said upper mast section, and a squeeze frame loosely connected with the said squeeze frame carriage and supported therefrom, brick engaging fingers on said squeeze frame, a hydraulic ram connecting the said brick engaging lingers, a pulley secured to the upper end of the upper section of the mast and a exible bracket member secured at one of its ends to the squeeze frame carriage and anchored at its opposite end to the vehicle and extending over the said pulley whereby the squeeze frame carriage is raised and lowered with the raising and lowering of the upper mast section.

3. Brick handling and transporting means comprising a power driven vehicle, a two part mast on said vehicle having a lower section pivotally mounted on the vehicle, and an upper section telescopicaliy connected to said lower section, a hydraulic ram mounted on the vehicle at one of its ends and connected to the upper mast section at its other end whereby the said upper section may be raised and lowered, a squeeze frame carriage mounted on the said upper mast section, and a squeeze frame loosely connected with the said squeeze frame carriage and supported therefrom, brick engaging fingers on said squeeze frame, a hydraulic ram connecting the said brick engaging ingers, a pulley secured to the upper end of the upper mast section, a chain secured at one of its ends to the said squeeze frame carriage and anchored to a xed member of the apparatus at its other end and extending over the said pulley whereby the squeeze frame carriage and squeeze frame mounted thereon are raised and lowered with the raising and lowering of the upper section of the mast.

4. Brick handling and transporting means comprising a power driven vehicle, a two part mast on said vehicle having a lower section pivotally mounted on the vehicle, and an upper section telescopically connected to said lower section, a hydraulic ram mounted on the vehicle at one of its its ends and connected to the upper mast section at its other end whereby the said upper section may be raised and lowered, a squeeze frame carriage mounted on the said upper mast section, and a squeeze frame loosely connected with the said squeeze frame carriage and supported therefrom, brick engaging fingers on said squeeze frame, a hydraulic ram connecting the said brick engaging lingers, and a power multiplying arrangement secured to the said mast whereby the squeeze frame carriage and squeeze frame are raised and lowered with the raising and lowering of the upper section of the said mast.

5. Brick handling and transporting apparatus comprising a power driven vehicle, a mast consisting of a lower section and an upper section telescopically arranged with respect to each other, the lower section being pivotally mounted on the said vehicle, hydraulic rams xed to the said vehicle at one of their ends and to the lower section of the said mast, a secured hydraulic ram anchored to the vehicle at one of its ends and secured to the upper section of the mast at its opposite end whereby the upper section of the said mast may be moved in relation to the lower section, a squeeze frame carriage movably mounted on the upper mast section, a squeeze frame comprising a pair of tubes in spaced parallel relation with each other, brackets connecting the said tubes with the squeeze frame carriage, sets of stub tubes mounted in the ends of the parallel extending tubes and slidably mounted therein, brackets on the outer ends of the said stub tubes, gripping ngers on the said brackets, a hydraulic ram connecting the said brackets, a backboard, a movable gauge on the said backboard whereby the position of the gripping iingers on a cube of brick is determined, a pulley on the upper end of the upper mast section and a flexible member extending over the said pulley and attached to the vehicle at one of its ends and to the squeeze frame carriage at its other end.

6. Brick handling and transporting apparatus comprising a power driven vehicle, a mast consisting of a lower section and an upper section telescopically arranged with respect to each other, the lower section being pivotally mounted on the said vehicle, hydraulic rams fixed to the said vehicle at one of their ends and to the lower section of the said mast, a secured hydraulic ram anchored to the vehicle at one of its ends and secured to the upper section of the mast at its opposite end whereby the upper section of the said mast may be moved in relation to the lower section, a squeeze frame carriage movably mounted on the upper mast section, a squeeze frame comprising a pair of tubes in spaced parallel relation with each other, brackets having slots therein connecting the said tubes, bolts extending through the said slots and the squeeze frame carriage whereby the squeeze frame is loosely connected to the squeeze frame carriage, sets of stub tubes mounted in the ends of the parallel extending tubes and slidably mounted therein, brackets on the outer ends of the said stub tubes, gripping lingers on the said brackets, a hydraulic ram connecting the said brackets, a backboard, a movable gauge on the said backboard whereby the position of the gripping iingers on a cube of brick is determined, a pulley on the upper end of the upper mast section and a ilexible member extending over the said pulley and attached to the vehicle at one of its ends and to the squeeze frame carriage at its other end.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,413,225 Hemstreet Apr. 18, 1922 2,403,356 Francis July 2, 1946 2,611,497 Backofen Sept. 23, 1952 2,709,015 Sasgen et al. May 24, 1955 2,768,018 Ehmann Oct. 23, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,461 Great Britain June 9, 1949 

